Return to the Motherland or Illegal Land Transfer? Depends on Who You Ask (Encore)
Nov 28, 2024
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Discover Ghana's intriguing initiative inviting people of African descent to return home with promises of free land. Hear contrasting stories of returning diasporans celebrating their new beginnings while local Ghanaians express concerns over lost farmland. The episode explores deep tensions between opportunity and ownership, revealing the complexities of a nation striving for unity amid discord. Tune in for a captivating look at identity, migration, and the repercussions of goodwill.
Ghana's 'Year of Return' initiative offers free land to diasporans, fostering a sense of belonging but creating local resentment over land disputes.
Tensions escalate between returning diaspora and locals in Ghana as ancestral land claims lead to legal battles and feelings of disenfranchisement.
Deep dives
Ghana's Welcome Campaign for the Diaspora
Ghana launched a campaign aimed at encouraging Black people worldwide to return to their ancestral homeland by offering free land for settlement. This initiative, introduced in 2019 as part of the 'Year of Return,' has drawn thousands, including individuals like Len Voskaya and Moyen Vivali, who sought a new beginning after years abroad. While the opportunity for diasporans to own land exists, it has strained relationships with local residents who feel overlooked and disadvantaged. Many locals express resentment, believing that the foreign arrivals are granted privileges that are not extended to long-time Ghanaian citizens, igniting tensions over property ownership and access to resources.
Conflict Over Land Rights and Local Displacement
The establishment of diaspora settlements has led to significant disputes regarding land ownership, particularly as some local families claim their ancestral lands have been taken without consent. An example is the case of Kwesi Otu Bensil's family, who have been farming on their land for generations but now face eviction following decisions made by the local chief. This situation has escalated into legal battles, as families struggle to reclaim their property while feeling threatened by both governmental inaction and reports of aggressive behavior from those who have settled in their former lands. As more settlements emerge, local farmers face an uncertain future, caught between preserving their heritage and navigating complex land disputes.
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A Return to Roots: Celebrations and Controversies in Ghana's Land Initiative
In an episode we first posted in January, we go to the West African country of Ghana. The Ghanaian government began encouraging people of African descent from around the world to move to the country in 2019, calling it the "Year of Return". They even created settlements for the people who took them up on the offer, giving out free land. But our correspondent talks to locals who say their farm land was stolen to give to foreigners.